Trebonius knows his time, for, look you, Brutus,He draws Mark Antony out of the way.(30)

CASSIUS:

Trebonius when to act, because, look, Brutus,
He’s taking Mark Antony out of the way.

[Exeunt Antony and Trebonius.]

DECIUS:

Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go,And presently prefer his suit to Caesar.

DECIUS:

Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him come,
And now tell Caesar what it is that he wants.

BRUTUS:

He is address'd; press near and second him.

BRUTUS:

He’s ready; get closer and back him up.

CINNA:

Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.

CINNA:

Casca, you’re the first one to strike.

CAESAR:

Are we all ready? What is now amiss(35)That Caesar and his Senate must redress?

CAESAR:

Are we All ready? What’s the problem
That Caesar and his Senate must fix?

METELLUS:

Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar,Metellus Cimber throws before thy seatAn humble heart.

METELLUS:

Most high, most mighty, and most powerful Caesar,
Metellus Cimber falls before you
Most humbly.

CAESAR:

I must prevent thee, Cimber.(40)These couchings and these lowly courtesiesMight fire the blood of ordinary menAnd turn preordinance and first decreeInto the law of children. Be not fondTo think that Caesar bears such rebel blood(45)That will be thaw'd from the true qualityWith that which melteth fools, I mean sweet words,Low-crooked court'sies, and base spaniel-fawning.Thy brother by decree is banished.If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him,(50)I spurn thee like a cur out of my way.Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without causeWill he be satisfied.

CAESAR:

I must stop you, Cimber.
These lying down and these lowly courtesies
Might move ordinary men,
And turn previous laws and the first decree
Into the laws of children. Don’t be so silly as
To think that Caesar has such rebel blood
That will be changed by
The same things that change fools; I mean, sweet words,
Low, crooked curtsies, and playing up to me like a puppy.
Your brother is banished by decree.
If you do bend, and pray, and play up to me for him,
I reject you out of my way like a stray dog.
Caesar has never been wrong, only with good reason,
And he will not be satisfied without good reason.

METELLUS:

Is there no voice more worthy than my own,To sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear(55)For the repealing of my banish'd brother?

METELLUS:

Is there any voice more worthy than mine
To speak more sweetly into great Caesar's ear
To ask for a repeal of my banished brother’s sentence?

BRUTUS:

I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar,Desiring thee that Publius Cimber mayHave an immediate freedom of repeal.

BRUTUS:

I kiss your hand but not in flattery, Caesar.
I ask you for an immediate repeal for
Publius Cimber.

I could be well moved, if I were as you;If I could pray to move, prayers would move me;(65)But I am constant as the northern star,Of whose true-fix'd and resting qualityThere is no fellow in the firmament.The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks;They are all fire and every one doth shine;(70)But there's but one in all doth hold his place.So in the world, 'tis furnish'd well with men,And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive;Yet in the number I do know but oneThat unassailable holds on his rank,(75)Unshaked of motion; and that I am he,Let me a little show it, even in this;That I was constant Cimber should be banish'd,And constant do remain to keep him so.

CAESAR:

I could be persuaded, if I were like you;
If I could pray to be persuaded, prayers would persuade me.
But I’m constant as the north star,
Whose true-fixed and resting quality
Is unequalled in the sky.
The skies are painted with an infinite number of stars,
They’re all fire, and every one shines;
But there's only one north star.
It’s the same in the world; it has many men,
And men are flesh and blood, and fearful;
Yet in that number, I only know one
That holds on his rank not open to attack,
Unshaken by persuasion. And I’m that man.
Let me show it a little, even in this,—
That I was resolved that Cimber should be banished,
And remain resolved to keep him so.

CINNA:

O Caesar,—(80)

CINNA:

O Caesar,—

CAESAR:

Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus?

CAESAR:

Go away! Will you move the mountain of the gods?

DECIUS:

Great Caesar—

DECIUS:

Great Caesar,—

CAESAR:

Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?

CAESAR:

Doesn’t Brutus kneel without success?

CASCA:

Speak, hands, for me!

CASCA:

Speak, hands, for me!

They stab Caesar.

CAESAR:

Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Caesar!(85)

CAESAR:

You too, Brutus?— Then fall, Caesar!

Dies.

CINNA:

Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.

CINNA:

Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!—
Run away, proclaim, cry it about the streets.

CASSIUS:

Some to the common pulpits and cry out“Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!”

CASSIUS:

Some of you go to the common people in the squares
And cry out, "Liberty, freedom, and liberation!"

BRUTUS:

People, and senators, be not affrighted,(90)Fly not, stand still; ambition's debt is paid.

BRUTUS:

People and Senators, don’t be afraid;
Don’t flee; stand still; ambition has paid its debt.

CASCA:

Go to the pulpit, Brutus.

CASCA:

Go ahead to the square, Brutus.

DECIUS:

And Cassius too.

DECIUS:

And Cassius too.

BRUTUS:

Where's Publius?

BRUTUS:

Where's Publius?

CINNA:

Here, quite confounded with this mutiny.(95)

CINNA:

Here, quite confused by this mutiny.

METELLUS:

Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar'sShould chance—

METELLUS:

Stand together solidly, for fear that some friend of Caesar's
Should happen —

BRUTUS:

Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer,There is no harm intended to your person,Nor to no Roman else. So tell them, Publius.(100)

BRUTUS:

Don’t talk about standing.—Publius, good cheer!
We don’t intend to harm you,
Or any other Roman. Tell them so, Publius.

CASSIUS:

And leave us, Publius, lest that the peopleRushing on us should do your age some mischief.

CASSIUS:

And leave us, Publius for fear that the people
Will attack us, doing some mischief to your old body.

BRUTUS:

Do so, and let no man abide this deedBut we the doers.

BRUTUS:

Do so;— and let no man pay for this deed
But we who did it.

[Re-]enter Trebonius.]

CASSIUS:

Where is Antony?(105)

CASSIUS:

Where's Antony?

TREBONIUS:

Fled to his house amazed.Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and runAs it were doomsday.

TREBONIUS:

Fled to his house amazed.
Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run,
As it were doomsday.

BRUTUS:

Fates, we will know your pleasures.That we shall die, we know; 'tis but the time(110)And drawing days out that men stand upon.

BRUTUS:

Destiny, tell us what comes next.
We know we shall die, we know; it’s only time
And drawing days out that men live on.

CASSIUS:

Why, he that cuts off twenty years of lifeCuts off so many years of fearing death.

CASSIUS:

Why, he that spends twenty years fearing death
Cuts twenty years off his life.

BRUTUS:

Grant that, and then is death a benefit;So are we Caesar's friends that have abridged(115)His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop,And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's bloodUp to the elbows, and besmear our swords;Then walk we forth, even to the market-place,And waving our red weapons o'er our heads,(120)Let's all cry, “Peace, freedom, and liberty!”

BRUTUS:

I agree, and then is death a benefit.
So do we, Caesar's friends, that have cut
His time of fearing death.— Bend, Romans, bend,
And let’s wash our hands in Caesar's blood
Up to the elbows, and smear our swords with it.
Then we will walk out, even to the market-place,
And waving our red weapons over our heads,
Let's all cry, "Peace, freedom, and liberty!"

CASSIUS:

Stoop then, and wash. How many ages henceShall this our lofty scene be acted overIn states unborn and accents yet unknown!

CASSIUS:

Bend then, and wash. How often will our deed
Be acted over and over for future generations
In States and languages yet unknown!

BRUTUS:

How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport,(125)That now on Pompey's basis lies alongNo worthier than the dust!

BRUTUS:

How many times will Caesar bleed in amusement,
That lies now next to Pompey's statue,
No worthier than the dust!

CASSIUS:

So oft as that shall be,So often shall the knot of us be call'dThe men that gave their country liberty.(130)

CASSIUS:

So often as that shall be,
So often shall the group of us be called
The men that gave their country liberty.

DECIUS:

What, shall we forth?

DECIUS:

What, shall we go?

CASSIUS:

Ay, every man away.Brutus shall lead, and we will grace his heelsWith the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.

CASSIUS:

Yes, every man away.
Brutus shall lead, and we will follow him
With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome.

Enter a Servant.

BRUTUS:

Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony's.(135)

BRUTUS:

Wait, who’s coming here?
A friend of Antony's.

SERVANT:

Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel,Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down,And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say:Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest;Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving.(140)Say I love Brutus and I honor him;Say I fear'd Caesar, honor'd him, and loved him.If Brutus will vouchsafe that AntonyMay safely come to him and be resolvedHow Caesar hath deserved to lie in death,(145)Mark Antony shall not love Caesar deadSo well as Brutus living, but will followThe fortunes and affairs of noble BrutusThorough the hazards of this untrod stateWith all true faith. So says my master Antony.(150)

SERVANT:

Like this, Brutus, my master told me to kneel;
Like this, Antony told me to fall down;
And, being stretched out, on my face, he asked me say,
like this: Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest;
Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving;
Say I love Brutus and I honor him;
Say I’m afraid of Caesar, honored him, and loved him.
If Brutus will guarantee that Antony
May safely come to him and is ready to tell
How Caesar deserved to die,
Mark Antony shall love Brutus living
Better than Caesar dead, and will follow
The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus with all true faith
Thorough the hazards of this unconquered state.
That is what my master Antony says.

BRUTUS:

Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman;I never thought him worse.Tell him, so please him come unto this place,He shall be satisfied and, by my honor,Depart untouch'd.(155)

BRUTUS:

Your master is a wise and valiant Roman;
I always thought so.
Tell him, if it pleases him come to this place,
He shall get an explanation and, by my honor,
Leave here safely.

SERVANT:

I'll fetch him presently.

SERVANT:

I'll go get him now.

Exit servant.

BRUTUS:

I know that we shall have him well to friend.

BRUTUS:

I know that we shall have him as a friend.

CASSIUS:

I wish we may, but yet have I a mindThat fears him much, and my misgiving stillFalls shrewdly to the purpose.(160)

CASSIUS:

I hope that we may, but my heart is still
Very much afraid of him, and my gut feeling is that
He cannot be trusted.

[Re-]enter Antony.]

BRUTUS:

But here comes Antony. Welcome, Mark Antony.

BRUTUS:

But here comes Antony.—

Welcome, Mark Antony.

ANTONY:

O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low?Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well.I know not, gentlemen, what you intend,(165)Who else must be let blood, who else is rank.If I myself, there is no hour so fitAs Caesar's death's hour, nor no instrumentOf half that worth as those your swords, made richWith the most noble blood of all this world.(170)I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard,Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke,Fulfill your pleasure. Live a thousand years,I shall not find myself so apt to die;No place will please me so, no mean of death,(175)As here by Caesar, and by you cut off,The choice and master spirits of this age.

ANTONY:

O mighty Caesar! Do you lie so low?
Do all your conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,
Boil down to this? Goodbye.—
I don’t know, gentlemen, what you intend,
Who else must be killed, who else is corrupt.
If I’m going be killed, there is no time like
Caesar's death-hour, or any instrument
Half as worthy as your swords, decorated richly
With the most noble blood in this whole world.
Please, if you hate me, kill me now
While your purpled hands smeared with fresh blood.
Live a thousand years, and
I won’t find myself so eager to die.
No place will please me so much, no means of death,
As to be killed here by Caesar, and killed by you,
The choice and master spirits of this age.

BRUTUS:

O Antony, beg not your death of us!Though now we must appear bloody and cruel,As, by our hands and this our present act,(180)You see we do, yet see you but our handsAnd this the bleeding business they have done.Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful;And pity to the general wrong of Rome—As fire drives out fire, so pity pity—(185)Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part,To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony;Our arms in strength of malice, and our heartsOf brothers' temper, do receive you inWith all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.(190)

BRUTUS:

O Antony, don’t beg your death from us!
Although we must appear bloody and cruel now,
As you can see by our hands and this recent deed;
Still you can only see our hands
And this bleeding business they have done.
You don’t see our hearts; they’re full of pity;
Pity the general injury of Rome —
As fire drives out fire, so pity drives out pity —
Has done this deed on Caesar. For your part,
Our swords have leaden points to you, Mark Antony;
Our arms in strength of friendship, and our hearts
Of brotherly disposition, receive you
With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence.

CASSIUS:

Your voice shall be as strong as any man'sIn the disposing of new dignities.

CASSIUS:

Your voice shall be as strong as any man's
In giving out the new honorable offices.

BRUTUS:

Only be patient till we have appeasedThe multitude, beside themselves with fear,And then we will deliver you the cause(195)Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him,Have thus proceeded.

BRUTUS:

Only be patient until we have pacified
The multitude, who are beside themselves with fear,
And then we will tell you the reason
Why I, that loved Caesar when I struck him,
Have acted this way.

ANTONY:

I doubt not of your wisdom.Let each man render me his bloody hand.First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you;(200)Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand;Now, Decius Brutus, yours; now yours, Metellus;Yours, Cinna; and, my valiant Casca, yours;Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius.Gentlemen all,—alas, what shall I say?(205)My credit now stands on such slippery ground,That one of two bad ways you must conceit me,Either a coward or a flatterer.That I did love thee, Caesar, O, 'tis true!If then thy spirit look upon us now,(210)Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy deathTo see thy Antony making his peace,Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes,Most noble! In the presence of thy corse?Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds,(215)Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood,It would become me better than to closeIn terms of friendship with thine enemies.Pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou bay'd, brave hart,Here didst thou fall, and here thy hunters stand,(220)Sign'd in thy spoil, and crimson'd in thy lethe.O world, thou wast the forest to this hart,And this, indeed, O world, the heart of thee.How like a deer strucken by many princesDost thou here lie!(225)

ANTONY:

I don’t doubt your wisdom.
Let each man give me his bloody hand.
First, Marcus Brutus, I will shake with you;—
Next, Caius Cassius, I take your hand;—
Now, Decius Brutus, yours;—now yours, Metellus;—
Yours, Cinna;—and, my valiant Casca, yours;—
Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius.
Gentlemen all—alas, what shall I say?
My reputation now stands on such slippery ground,
That you must think of me one of two bad ways,
Either a coward or a flatterer.—
That I loved you, Caesar, O, it’s true.
If then your spirit looks on us now,
Won’t it hurt you more than your death
To see your Antony making his peace,
Shaking the bloody fingers of your foes,—
Most noble!—in the presence of your corpse?
If I had as many eyes as you’ve got wounds,
Weeping as fast as they let your blood out,
It would suit me better than to close
In terms of friendship with your enemies.
Pardon me, Julius! Here you were surrounded, brave deer;
Here you fell, and here your hunters stand,
Marked by your destruction, and turned red by your death.—
O world, you were the forest to this deer;
And this, indeed, O world, the heart of you.—
How much you look like a deer stricken by many princes,
Lying here!

Pardon me, Caius Cassius.
The enemies of Caesar shall say all this;
Then, in a friend, it is cold shame.

CASSIUS:

I blame you not for praising Caesar so;(230)But what compact mean you to have with us?Will you be prick'd in number of our friends,Or shall we on, and not depend on you?

CASSIUS:

I don’t blame you for praising Caesar so;
But what agreement do mean you to have with us?
Will you be counted in the number of our friends,
Or shall we go on and not depend on you?

ANTONY:

Therefore I took your hands, but was indeedSway'd from the point by looking down on Caesar.(235)Friends am I with you all and love you all,Upon this hope that you shall give me reasonsWhy and wherein Caesar was dangerous.

ANTONY:

I shook your hands for that reason; but I was really
Distracted from the point by looking down on Caesar.
I am friends with you all, and love you all,
On this hope, that you shall give me reasons
Why and how Caesar was dangerous.

BRUTUS:

Or else were this a savage spectacle.Our reasons are so full of good regard(240)That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar,You should be satisfied.

BRUTUS:

Or else this was a savage spectacle.
Our reasons are so full of good regard
That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar,
You should be satisfied.

ANTONY:

That's all I seek;And am moreover suitor that I mayProduce his body to the marketplace,(245)And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend,Speak in the order of his funeral.

ANTONY:

That's all I find.
And I am, moreover, asking that I may
Take his body to the market place;
And on the platform, as becomes a friend,
Speak in the order of his funeral.

BRUTUS:

You shall, Mark Antony.

BRUTUS:

You shall do it, Mark Antony.

CASSIUS:

Brutus, a word with you.

[Aside to Brutus.]

You know not what you do. Do not consent(250)That Antony speak in his funeral.Know you how much the people may be movedBy that which he will utter?

CASSIUS:

Brutus, a word with you.

You don’t know what you’re doing; don’t consent
That Antony speak at his funeral.
Do you know how much the people may be affected
By what he’ll say?

BRUTUS:

By your pardon,I will myself into the pulpit first,(255)And show the reason of our Caesar's death.What Antony shall speak, I will protestHe speaks by leave and by permission,And that we are contented Caesar shallHave all true rites and lawful ceremonies.(260)It shall advantage more than do us wrong.

BRUTUS:

Please.
I’ll go onto the platform first,
And explain our Caesar's death.
Whatever Antony shall speak, I’ll formerly declare
That he speaks with our permission
And that we are happy that Caesar shall
Have all true rights and lawful ceremonies.
It’ll be to our advantage more than doing us harm.

CASSIUS:

I know not what may fall; I like it not.

CASSIUS:

I don’t know what may happen; I don’t like it.

BRUTUS:

Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar's body.You shall not in your funeral speech blame us,But speak all good you can devise of Caesar,(265)And say you do't by our permission,Else shall you not have any hand at allAbout his funeral. And you shall speakIn the same pulpit whereto I am going,After my speech is ended.(270)

BRUTUS:

Mark Antony, here, take Caesar's body.
You shall not blame us in your funeral speech,
But speak all the good that you can imagine about Caesar;
And say you do it by our permission;
Or else you won’t have any part at all
In his funeral. And you shall speak
After my speech is ended
On the same platform where I’m going to be.

ANTONY:

Be it so,I do desire no more.

ANTONY:

I don’t desire any more.

BRUTUS:

Prepare the body then, and follow us.

BRUTUS:

Prepare the body, then, and follow us.

Exeunt [all but] Antony.

ANTONY:

O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!(275)Thou art the ruins of the noblest manThat ever lived in the tide of times.Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!Over thy wounds now do I prophesyWhich like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips(280)To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue,A curse shall light upon the limbs of men;Domestic fury and fierce civil strifeShall cumber all the parts of Italy;Blood and destruction shall be so in use,(285)And dreadful objects so familiar,That mothers shall but smile when they beholdTheir infants quarter'd with the hands of war;All pity choked with custom of fell deeds,And Caesar's spirit ranging for revenge,(290)With Ate by his side come hot from hell,Shall in these confines with a monarch's voiceCry “Havoc!” and let slip the dogs of war,That this foul deed shall smell above the earthWith carrion men, groaning for burial.(295)

Enter Octavius' Servant.

You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not?

ANTONY:

O, forgive me, you bleeding piece of earth,
That I’m meek and gentle with these butchers!
You’re the ruins of the noblest man
That ever lived in the tide of times.
Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!
I now predict over your wounds now,—
Which, like dumb mouths, open their ruby lips
To ask the voice and action of my tongue,—
A curse shall fall on the limbs of men;Domestic fury and fierce civil strife
Shall break out in all the parts of Italy;
Blood and destruction shall be so widespread,
And dreadful objects so familiar,
That mothers shall only smile when they see
Their infants cut into pieces by the hands of war;
All pity choked with usual practice of savage deeds.
And Caesar's spirit, raging for revenge,
Coming hot from Hell with chief witch by his side,
Shall cry "Havoc!" in these regions, with a monarch's voice
And let the dogs of war loose,
That this foul deed shall smell above the earth
With decaying men, groaning for burial.—

You serve Octavius Caesar, don’t you?

SERVANT:

I do, Mark Antony.

SERVANT:

I do, Mark Antony.

ANTONY:

Caesar did write for him to come to Rome.

ANTONY:

Caesar wrote for him to come to Rome.

SERVANT:

He did receive his letters, and is coming,And bid me say to you by word of mouth—(300)O Caesar!

SERVANT:

He received his letters, and is coming;
And told me to say to you by word of mouth,—
O Caesar!—

ANTONY:

Thy heart is big; get thee apart and weep.Passion, I see, is catching, for mine eyes,Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine,Began to water. Is thy master coming?(305)

ANTONY:

Your heart is big, go some place private and weep.
Passion, I see, is catching; for my eyes,
Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in yours,
Began to tear. Is your master coming?

SERVANT:

He lies tonight within seven leagues of Rome.

SERVANT:

He lies tonight within twenty-one miles of Rome.

ANTONY:

Post back with speed and tell him what hath chanced.Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,No Rome of safety for Octavius yet;Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet stay awhile,(310)Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corseInto the market-place. There shall I try,In my oration, how the people takeThe cruel issue of these bloody men,According to the which thou shalt discourse(315)To young Octavius of the state of things.Lend me your hand.

ANTONY:

Get back to him quickly speed, and tell him what has happened.
Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,
A Rome not safe for Octavius yet;
Get going, and tell him so. Stay here for a bit;
You shall not go back until I have carried this corpse
Into the market place. There I shall test,
In my speech, how the people takeThe cruel actions of these bloody men;
Once I know that, you shall tell
Young Octavius the state of things.
Lend me your hand.

Exeunt.

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Scene II

Enter Brutus and goes into the pulpit, and Cassius, with the Plebeians.

CITIZENS:

We will be satisfied! Let us be satisfied!

CITIZENS:

We will be satisfied; let’s be satisfied.

BRUTUS:

Then follow me and give me audience, friends.Cassius, go you into the other streetAnd part the numbers.(5)Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here;Those that will follow Cassius, go with him;And public reasons shall be renderedOf Caesar's death.

BRUTUS:

Then follow me, and listen to me, friends.—
Cassius, you go into the other street
And separate the crowd.—
Those that will hear me speak, let them stay here;
Those that will follow Cassius, go with him;
And public reasons shall be given
About Caesar's death.

FIRST CITIZEN:

I will hear Brutus speak.(10)

FIRST CITIZEN:

I’ll hear Brutus speak.

SECOND CITIZEN:

I will hear Cassius and compare their reasons,When severally we hear them rendered.

SECOND CITIZEN:

I’ll hear Cassius, and compare their reasons,
Once they have all been told.

[Exit Cassius, with some of the Citizens.]

THIRD CITIZEN:

The noble Brutus is ascended. Silence!

THIRD CITIZEN:

The noble Brutus is on the platform. Silence!

BRUTUS:

Be patient till the last.Romans, countrymen, and lovers! Hear me for my cause,(15)and be silent, that you may hear. Believe me for minehonor, and have respect to mine honor, that you maybelieve. Censure me in your wisdom, and awake yoursenses, that you may the better judge. If there be any in thisassembly, any dear friend of Caesar's, to him I say that(20)Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his. If then thatfriend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is myanswer: Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Romemore. Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves,than that Caesar were dead to live all freemen? As Caesar(25)loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice atit; as he was valiant, I honor him; but as he was ambitious,I slew him. There is tears for his love, joy for his fortune,honor for his valor, and death for his ambition. Who is hereso base that would be a bondman? If any, speak, for him(30)have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be aRoman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is hereso vile that will not love his country? If any, speak, for himhave I offended. I pause for a reply.

BRUTUS:

Please wait until I finish.
Romans, countrymen, and friends! Listen to my cause, and be
silent, so you can hear. Believe me based on my honor, and have
respect for my honor, so you can believe. Judge me in your
wisdom, and wake up your senses, so you can be a better judge.
If there is anyone in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar's, to
him I say that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his love. If
then that friend demands why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is
my answer,—Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome
more. Would you rather Caesar were living, and you all die slaves, than
that Caesar were dead, so you all live freemen? As Caesar loved me, I
weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was
valiant, I honor him; but, as he was ambitious, I killed him.
There are tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honor for his
valor, and death for his ambition. Who is here so low thatthey would
rather be a slave? If there are any, speak, because I have offended him.
Who here is so rude that they wouldn’t be a Roman? If there are any, speak,
because I have offended him. Who is here so vile that he will not love his
country? If there are any, speak, because I offended him.
I’ll stop so you can reply.

ALL:

None, Brutus, none.(35)

ALL:

None, Brutus, none.

BRUTUS:

Then none have I offended. I have done no more toCaesar than you shall do to Brutus. The question of his deathis enrolled in the Capitol, his glory not extenuated, whereinhe was worthy, nor his offenses enforced, for which hesuffered death.(40)

Enter Antony [and others] with Caesar's body.

Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony, who, thoughhe had no hand in his death, shall receive the benefit of hisdying, a place in the commonwealth, as which of you shall(45)not? With this I depart—that, as I slew my best lover for thegood of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself, when itshall please my country to need my death.

BRUTUS:

Then I have offended none. I have done no more to Caesar
than you shall do to Brutus. The question of his death is
recorded on rolls in the Capitol, his glory not made thin, where he
was worthy; nor are his offenses recorded, for which he suffered
death.

Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony, who, although he had
no hand in his death, shall receive the benefit of his dying, a
place in the commonwealth, just as you all will. With this,
I leave — that, as I killed my best friend for the good of Rome, I
have the same dagger for myself, to be used when it shall
please my country to need my death.

ALL:

Live, Brutus, live, live!

ALL:

Live, Brutus! Live, live!

FIRST CITIZEN:

Bring him with triumph home unto his house.(50)

FIRST CITIZEN:

Bring him home with triumph to his house.

SECOND CITIZEN:

Give him a statue with his ancestors.

SECOND CITIZEN:

Give him a statue with his ancestors.

THIRD CITIZEN:

Let him be Caesar.

THIRD CITIZEN:

Let him be Caesar.

FOURTH CITIZEN:

Caesar's better partsShall be crown'd in Brutus.

FOURTH CITIZEN:

Caesar's better parts
Shall be crowned in Brutus.

FIRST CITIZEN:

We'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamors.(55)

FIRST CITIZEN:

We'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamors.

BRUTUS:

My countrymen—

BRUTUS:

My countrymen,—

SECOND CITIZEN:

Peace! Silence! Brutus speaks.

SECOND CITIZEN:

Peace! silence! Brutus speaks.

FIRST CITIZEN:

Peace, ho!

FIRST CITIZEN:

Peace, oh!

BRUTUS:

Good countrymen, let me depart alone,(60)And, for my sake, stay here with Antony.Do grace to Caesar's corse, and grace his speechTending to Caesar's glories, which Mark Antony,By our permission, is allow'd to make.I do entreat you, not a man depart,(65)Save I alone, till Antony have spoke.

BRUTUS:

Good countrymen, let me leave alone,
And, for my sake, stay here with Antony.
Respect Caesar's corpse, and respect his speech
About Caesar's glory, which Mark Antony
Is allowed to make with our permission.
Please, no man leave,
Except I alone, until Antony has spoken.

Exit.

FIRST CITIZEN:

Stay, ho, and let us hear Mark Antony.

FIRST CITIZEN:

Stay, oh! and let’s hear Mark Antony.

THIRD CITIZEN:

Let him go up into the public chair;We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up.

THIRD CITIZEN:

Let him go up onto the platform;
We'll hear him.—Noble Antony, go up.

ANTONY:

For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you.(70)

ANTONY:

For Brutus' sake, I’m grateful to you.

FOURTH CITIZEN:

What does he say of Brutus?

FOURTH CITIZEN:

What does he say about Brutus?

THIRD CITIZEN:

He says, for Brutus' sake,He finds himself beholding to us all.

THIRD CITIZEN:

He says, for Brutus' sake,
He finds himself grateful to us all.

FOURTH CITIZEN:

'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here.

FOURTH CITIZEN:

It’s best that he doesn’t speak harm about Brutus here.

FIRST CITIZEN:

This Caesar was a tyrant.(75)

FIRST CITIZEN:

This Caesar was a tyrant.

THIRD CITIZEN:

Nay, that's certain.We are blest that Rome is rid of him.

THIRD CITIZEN:

Yes, that's certain.
We are blessed that Rome is rid of him.

SECOND CITIZEN:

Peace! Let us hear what Antony can say.

SECOND CITIZEN:

Peace! Let’s hear what Antony can say.

ANTONY:

You gentle Romans—

ANTONY:

You gentle Romans,—

ALL:

Peace, ho! Let us hear him.(80)

ALL:

Peace, oh! Let’s hear him.

ANTONY:

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.The evil that men do lives after them,The good is oft interred with their bones;So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus(85)Hath told you Caesar was ambitious;If it were so, it was a grievous fault,And grievously hath Caesar answer'd it.Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest—For Brutus is an honorable man;(90)So are they all, all honorable men—Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral.He was my friend, faithful and just to me;But Brutus says he was ambitious,And Brutus is an honorable man.(95)He hath brought many captives home to Rome,Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill.Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept;Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.(100)Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,And Brutus is an honorable man.You all did see that on the LupercalI thrice presented him a kingly crown,Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?(105)Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,And sure he is an honorable man.I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,But here I am to speak what I do know.You all did love him once, not without cause;(110)What cause withholds you then to mourn for him?O judgement, thou art fled to brutish beasts,And men have lost their reason. Bear with me;My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,And I must pause till it come back to me.(115)

ANTONY:

Friends, Romans, countrymen, listen to me;
I come here to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is often buried with their bones.
So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus
Has told you that Caesar was ambitious.
If it’s true, it was a serious mistake;
And seriously Caesar has paid for it.
Here, with the permission of Brutus and the rest,—
Because Brutus is an honorable man;
And they are all, all honorable men,—
I come to speak in Caesar's funeral.
He was my friend, faithful and just to me.
But Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honorable man.
Caesar brought many captives home to Rome,
Whose ransoms filled the national treasury.
Did this seem ambitious in Caesar?
When the poor have cried, Caesar has wept.
Ambition should be made of stiffer stuff.
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honorable man.
You all saw that, on the feast of the priest Lupercus,
I presented a kingly crown to him three times,
Which he refused three times. Was this ambition?
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And, sure, he’s an honorable man.
I don’t speak to disprove what Brutus spoke,
But I’m here to speak what I know.
You all loved him once,—not without reason.
What reasons keep you, then, from mourning him?—
O judgment, you’ve turned into brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason!— Bear with me;
My heart is there with Caesar in the coffin,
And I must pause until it comes back to me.

FIRST CITIZEN:

Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.

FIRST CITIZEN:

I think there is a lot of reason in what he’s saying.

SECOND CITIZEN:

If thou consider rightly of the matter,Caesar has had great wrong.

SECOND CITIZEN:

If you rightly think about the matter,
Caesar has had great wrong done to him.

THIRD CITIZEN:

Has he, masters?I fear there will a worse come in his place.(120)

THIRD CITIZEN:

Hasn’t he, gentlemen?
I’m afraid that a worse man will take his place.

FOURTH CITIZEN:

Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown;Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious.

FOURTH CITIZEN:

Did you pay attention to his words? Caesar wouldn’t take the crown;
It’s certain he wasn’t ambitious for that reason.

FIRST CITIZEN:

If it be found so, some will dear abide it.

FIRST CITIZEN:

If it’s found to be so, someone will dearly pay for it.

SECOND CITIZEN:

Poor soul, his eyes are red as fire with weeping.(125)

SECOND CITIZEN:

Poor soul! His eyes are red as fire with weeping.

THIRD CITIZEN:

There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony.

THIRD CITIZEN:

here's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony.

FOURTH CITIZEN:

Now mark him, he begins again to speak.

FOURTH CITIZEN:

Now watch him; he begins to speak again.

ANTONY:

But yesterday the word of Caesar mightHave stood against the world. Now lies he there,And none so poor to do him reverence.(130)O masters! If I were disposed to stirYour hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,I should do Brutus wrong and Cassius wrong,Who, you all know, are honorable men.I will not do them wrong; I rather choose(135)To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you,Than I will wrong such honorable men.But here's a parchment with the seal of Caesar;I found it in his closet, 'tis his will.Let but the commons hear this testament—(140)Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read—And they would go and kiss dead Caesar's woundsAnd dip their napkins in his sacred blood,Yea, beg a hair of him for memory,And, dying, mention it within their wills,(145)Bequeathing it as a rich legacyUnto their issue.

ANTONY:

Only yesterday, the word of Caesar might
Have stood against the world. Now lies he there,
And there is no one too poor to pay him respect.
O gentlemen, if I wanted to stir
Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,
I would do Brutus and Cassius wrong,
Who, as you all know, are honorable men.
I won’t do them wrong; I would rather choose
To wrong the dead, to wrong myself, and you,
Before I’ll wrong such honorable men.
But here's a parchment with the seal of Caesar,—
I found it in his bedroom,—it’s his will.
Let only the common people hear this testament,—
Which, pardon me, I don’t mean to read,—
And they would go and kiss dead Caesar's wounds,
And dip their napkins in his sacred blood;
Yes, beg a hair of him for memory,
And, dying, mention that hair in their wills, Leaving it as a rich legacy
To their children.

FOURTH CITIZEN:

We'll hear the will. Read it, Mark Antony.

FOURTH CITIZEN:

We'll hear the will. Read it, Mark Antony.

ALL:

The will, the will! We will hear Caesar's will.

ALL:

The will, the will! We will hear Caesar's will.

ANTONY:

Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it;(150)It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you.You are not wood, you are not stones, but men;And, being men, hearing the will of Caesar,It will inflame you, it will make you mad.'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs,(155)For if you should, O, what would come of it!

ANTONY:

Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it;
It isn’t proper that you know how Caesar loved you.
You aren’t wood, you aren’t stones, you are men;
And, being men, hearing the will of Caesar,
It will inflame you; it will make you crazy.
It’s good that you don’t know that you’re his heirs;
Because if you did, O, what would happen!

Will you be patient? Will you stay a while?I have o'ershot myself to tell you of it.(160)I fear I wrong the honorable menWhose daggers have stabb'd Caesar; I do fear it.

ANTONY:

Won’t you be patient? Won’t you wait a minute?
I went beyond what I was going to say to tell you about it.
I’m afraid I wrong the honorable men
Whose daggers have stabbed Caesar; I really do fear it.

FOURTH CITIZEN:

They were traitors. “Honorable men!”

FOURTH CITIZEN:

They were traitors. Honorable men!

ALL:

The will! The testament!

ALL:

The will! The testament!

SECOND CITIZEN:

They were villains, murderers. The will!(165)Read the will!

SECOND CITIZEN:

They were villains, murderers. The will! Read the will!

ANTONY:

You will compel me then to read the will?Then make a ring about the corse of Caesar,And let me show you him that made the will.Shall I descend? And will you give me leave?(170)

ANTONY:

You’ll force me, then, to read the will?
Then make a circle around the corpse of Caesar,
And let me show you the man who made the will.
Shall I come down? And will you give me permission?

ALL:

Come down.

ALL:

Come down.

SECOND CITIZEN:

Descend.

SECOND CITIZEN:

Come down.

THIRD CITIZEN:

You shall have leave.

THIRD CITIZEN:

You shall have permission.

FOURTH CITIZEN:

A ring, stand round.

FOURTH CITIZEN:

A circle! Stand round.

FIRST CITIZEN:

Stand from the hearse, stand from the body.(175)

FIRST CITIZEN:

Stand from the hearse, stand from the body.

SECOND CITIZEN:

Room for Antony, most noble Antony.

SECOND CITIZEN:

Room for Antony!—most noble Antony!

ANTONY:

Nay, press not so upon me, stand far off.

ANTONY:

No, don’t press so close to me; stand a bit away.

ALL:

Stand back; room, bear back!

ALL:

Stand back; Make room! Move back.

ANTONY:

If you have tears, prepare to shed them now.You all do know this mantle. I remember(180)The first time ever Caesar put it on;'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent,That day he overcame the Nervii.Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through;See what a rent the envious Casca made;(185)Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd;And as he pluck'd his cursed steel away,Mark how the blood of Caesar follow'd it,As rushing out of doors, to be resolvedIf Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no;(190)For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel.Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him!This was the most unkindest cut of all;For when the noble Caesar saw him stab,Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms,(195)Quite vanquish'd him. Then burst his mighty heart,And, in his mantle muffling up his face,Even at the base of Pompey's statue,Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell.O, what a fall was there, my countrymen!(200)Then I, and you, and all of us fell down,Whilst bloody treason flourish'd over us.O, now you weep, and I perceive you feelThe dint of pity. These are gracious drops.Kind souls, what weep you when you but behold(205)Our Caesar's vesture wounded? Look you here,Here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with traitors.

ANTONY:

If you’ve got tears, get ready to shed them now.
You all know this cloak. I remember
The first time Caesar ever put it on;
It was on a summer's evening, in his tent,
That day he overcame Belgium.
Look, Cassius ran his dagger through in this place.
See what a tear the envious Casca made.
Through this one, the well-beloved Brutus stabbed;
And as he withdrew his cursed knife away,
Pay attention to how the blood of Caesar followed it,—
As rushing out of doors, to be opened
If Brutus so unkindly knocked or not;
Because Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel.
Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him!
This was the most unkindest cut of all,
Because, when the noble Caesar saw Brutus stab him,
Ingratitude, stronger than traitors' arms,
Quite defeated him. Then his mighty heart burst,
And, in his cloak covering up his face,
Even at the base of Pompey's statue,
Which was covered in blood, great Caesar fell.
O, what a fall there was, my countrymen!Then I, and you, and all of us fell down,
While bloody treason bloomed over us.
O, now you weep and I can see that you feel
The blow of pity. These tears are full of grace.
Kind souls, what, do you weep when you only see
Our Caesar's clothes wounded? Look here,
Here he is, disfigured, as you can see, by traitors.

Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up(220)To such a sudden flood of mutiny.They that have done this deed are honorable.What private griefs they have, alas, I know not,That made them do it. They are wise and honorable,And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you.(225)I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts.I am no orator, as Brutus is;But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man,That love my friend, and that they know full wellThat gave me public leave to speak of him.(230)For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth,Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech,To stir men's blood. I only speak right on;I tell you that which you yourselves do know;Show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor poor dumb mouths,(235)And bid them speak for me. But were I Brutus,And Brutus Antony, there were an AntonyWould ruffle up your spirits and put a tongueIn every wound of Caesar that should moveThe stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.(240)

ANTONY:

Good friends, sweet friends, don’t let me stir you up
To such a sudden flood of rebellion.
They who have done this deed are honorable.
What private sorrows they have that made them do it,
Alas, I don’t know,
They're wise and honorable,And will, no doubt, answer you with reasons.
I didn’t come, friends, to steal away your hearts.
I’m no orator, as Brutus is;
I am only, as you all know, a plain blunt man,
That loved my friend, and that is known full well
By they who gave me public permission to speak about him,
Because I don’t have wit, or words, or worth,
Action, or utterance, or the power of speech,
To stir men's blood. I only speak directly;
I tell you what you yourselves already know.
I show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor dumb mouths,
And ask them to speak for me. But if I were Brutus,
And if Brutus were Antony, there would be an Antony to
Ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue
In every wound of Caesar, that would move
The stones of Rome to rise and rebel.

ALL:

We'll mutiny.

ALL:

We'll rebel.

FIRST CITIZEN:

We'll burn the house of Brutus.

FIRST CITIZEN:

We'll burn the house of Brutus.

THIRD CITIZEN:

Away, then! Come, seek the conspirators.

THIRD CITIZEN:

Away, then! Come, find the conspirators.

ANTONY:

Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak.

ANTONY:

But hear me, countrymen; still hear me speak.

ALL:

Peace, ho! Hear Antony, most noble Antony!(245)

ALL:

Peace, oh! hear Antony; most noble Antony!

ANTONY:

Why, friends, you go to do you know not what.Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves?Alas, you know not; I must tell you then.You have forgot the will I told you of.

ANTONY:

Why, friends, you go ahead to do you don’t know what.
Where has Caesar deserved your loves like this?
Alas, you don’t know; I must tell you then.
You’ve forgotten the will I told you of.

ALL:

Most true, the will! Let's stay and hear the will.(250)

ALL:

Most true; the will!—let's stay, and hear the will.

ANTONY:

Here is the will, and under Caesar's seal.To every Roman citizen he gives,To every several man, seventy-five drachmas.

ANTONY:

Here is the will, and under Caesar's seal.
To every Roman citizen he gives
Seventy-five dollars each.

SECOND CITIZEN:

Most noble Caesar! We'll revenge his death.

SECOND CITIZEN:

Most noble Caesar!—we'll revenge his death.

THIRD CITIZEN:

O royal Caesar!(255)

THIRD CITIZEN:

O, royal Caesar!

ANTONY:

Hear me with patience.

ANTONY:

Hear me with patience.

ALL:

Peace, ho!

ALL:

Peace, oh!

ANTONY:

Moreover, he hath left you all his walks,His private arbors, and new-planted orchards,On this side Tiber; he hath left them you,(260)And to your heirs for ever; common pleasures,To walk abroad and recreate yourselves.Here was a Caesar! When comes such another?

ANTONY:

Moreover, he has left you all his fields,
His private gardens, and just planted orchards,
On this side Tiber. He has left them you,
And to your heirs forever, common pleasures,
To walk abroad and relax yourselves.
Here was a Caesar! When does another like him come?

FIRST CITIZEN:

Never, never. Come, away, away!We'll burn his body in the holy place(265)And with the brands fire the traitors' houses.Take up the body.

FIRST CITIZEN:

Never, never.—Come, away, away!
We'll burn his body in the holy place,
And we’ll set the traitors' houses on fire with the torches.
Pick up the body.